Monk seal response programs exist on Kauai, Oahu, Maui and the Big Island with some reporting from Molokai and Lanai. On Oahu there is a team of over 50 volunteers who routinely assist NOAA Fisheries Pacific Island Regional Office (PIRO) and the Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) in monk seal response issues.

Volunteers assist with the following:

Responding to seals that haul out to rest, providing "seal protection zone" to protect them from disturbance.

Offering public passersby information about the Hawaiian monk seal and its endangered status.

Monitoring monk seal pupping events.

Reporting seals in distress (due to fish hook injury, entanglement or otherwise) and standing by until arrival of certified NOAA assistance.

In 1992, the Marine Mammal Protection Act was ammended to include a focus on responding to marine mammal stranding events with NOAA Fisheries designated as the lead agency to coordinate related activities.

What is a "stranded marine mammal"?

A) A marine mammal that is dead and is...

on a beach or shore of the United States; or

in waters under the jurisdiction of the United States (including any navicable waters).

B) A marine mammal that is alive and is...

on a beach or shore of the United States and unable to return to the water;

on a beach or shore of the United States and, although able to return to the water, is in apparent need of medical attention; or

in waters under the jurisdiction of the United States (including navicable waters), but is unable to return to its natural habitat under its own power or without assistance.

If you encounter a stranded or entangled marine mammal, please call:

Marine Mammal Stranding and Entanglement Hotline
1- 888-256-9840

Why do marine mammals strand?

Strandings are important indicators of cetacean population health and as apex species can be indicators of ocean health. Each stranding carries with it strong conservation messages as some are related to anthropogenic (human induced) causes. Cetaceans can become entangled in nets, derelict gear, and other marine debris such as plastics. Cetaceans are also known to swallow plastics and be hit by motorized vessels. These are all impacts that people can prevent by changing their behaviors in and near the water. Cetaceans also often strand due to natural causes such as old age, disease, and predation.

Marine Mammal Stranding Network

In Hawaii, the Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO) oversees the local cetacean stranding network which is part of a National Stranding Network that includes all US states bordering the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the Gulf of Mexico.

Responsibilities of the stranding network:

Responses/investigations of mortality events

Biomonitoring

Tissue/serum banking

Analytical quality assurance

Authorized stranding response entities:

In Hawaii, two primary entities, Hawaii Pacific University and the University of Hawaii at Hilo Hawaii Cetacean Rehabilitation Facility, have NOAA Fisheries authorization to respond to and "take" marine mammals for rescue; rehabilitation; release of live cetaceans; and necropsy and sampling of those that wash ashore dead or those that strand alive but die or are humanely euthanized. Hawaii Pacific University is designated to respond to and sample dead stranded cetaceans and SLPDD is designated to respond to and care for live cetaceans with the goal of release back to the wild.

All marine mammal parts are protected by Federal law and should not be removed from the carcass
unless authorized. It is important that the remains of a dead marine mammal are untouched as there may be an
ongoing investigation to determine the cause of death.